Brush-up for Bentley’s Battery Bruiser

The new Hybrid, on sale this summer, follows on from the launch of the facelifted petrol models in June 2020, and features a raft of exterior and interior changes.

Among the changes are a more upright grille, sleeker headlights and new elliptical rear lights that mirror those on the two-door Continental GT. Meanwhile, the interior gets new wood and metal veneers and a very welcome tech overhaul. A new 10.9-inch infotainment screen with crisper graphics features, as does standard-fit wireless Apple CarPlay, while rear seat passengers get a larger touchscreen remote control tablet.

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid interior dashboard

Big, fast, efficient. But costly too

That’s the good news. The slightly disappointing news is that the plug-in hybrid set-up hasn't been tweaked, though. There's still the same 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine up front, assisted by a 126bhp electric motor wedged between the engine and the gearbox, and a 17.3kWh battery hidden under the boot floor. Total power is 443bhp and the pure-electric range of 24 miles (claimed) remains.

Bentley has improved its My Bentley connected services, however. All cars now get an in-built sim for the in-car services, and the My Bentley smartphone app now includes hybrid-specific functions such as the ability to remotely charge and set the climate control.

Bentayga Hybrid owners do also get a free wallbox charger, but Bentley is at pains to remind owners they actually have to get it fitted themselves...

The Hybrid is one of two plug-ins to arrive this year as Bentley marches towards its 2026 target of offering all electrified models in its range.

Watch Tom's video review of the previous Bentyaga Hybrid here